About

In 2004, our company started with three carpenters offering home building services in the Bristol area. Over the years, we have evolved to become the full-service construction company that we are today.

Our staff is a diverse community of professionals - master carpenters, building science experts, solar experts, master electricians and construction managers. Many of our staff have been with Smith & McClain for over a decade, a testament to their exceptional talent, passion for building, and integrity. Together, we have executed complex projects and cutting edge designs, a reflection of our collective wealth of experience and versatility.

At Smith & McClain we strive to be a great company to work for and with. We know that the success of our projects are directly related to the relationships we develop, not just within our own team, but with our clients, subcontractors and other professional partners as well.

OakleySmith

Founder, Project Manager

PASSIVE HOUSE CERTIFIED TRADESPERSON, RSES REFRIGERANT USAGE CERTIFICATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF HEATPUMPS.

Early in his building career, Oakley was drawn to the building sciences, particularly the products and practices that support high performance home construction. Now, with over a decade of experience in the Green Building industry, Oakley has developed a passion for providing customers with an enjoyable experience from start to finish of their building project. He started Smith & McClain with a vision to create beautiful, enduring, and energy efficient buildings tailored to suit anyone's budget.

Oakley oversees all Smith & McClain projects, working closely with division and project managers. Oakley sets expectations and ensures that all work meets the company standard. Outside the jobs themselves, Oakley continues to build relationships with local suppliers, industry partners, and the many skilled tradespeople in our area so as to best service our clients. His experience as a job foreman and trained carpenter has provided him with a strong understanding of technical details. He regular attends seminars, trainings, and has earned several certifications to support the variety of products and services offered by Smith & McClain. Outside of work, Oakley enjoys spending time with his family, skiing and mountain biking as often as he can. Oakley lives in his hometown of Lincoln with his wife, Katie, and their two boys.

KevinMcClain

Operations, Project Manager

After working as a trained carpenter and then as a Construction Manager for Capital Improvement Projects in New York City, Kevin developed an interest in the customer experience aspect of the building industry. He came to recognize the importance of clear communication with clients on their building design and performance aspirations, and for provision of budgets and timelines. Kevin is passionate about maintaining a company culture that embodies mutual respect, cooperation and innovation. Kevin wears many hats at Smith & McClain. He not only manages all administrative functions of the business, but he lends support to our project managers while also managing his own projects in the building division. Luckily, Kevin take a methodical approach to his work and finds that keeping a good sense of humor is not to be overrated. Kevin grew up in Lincoln and lives in Bristol with his partner, Molly.

JamesNeedham

Carpenter, Construction Site Foreman

James is a skilled carpenter and a foreman for projects in the Building Division. James ran his own building outfit before joining the Smith & McClain team in 2013. He has an AAS in Construction Management and, with over 20 years of experience in the industry, is well versed in best practices and material specifications. James is an excellent problem-solver with an eye for details. He enjoys the challenges that high-performance custom homes provide. James grew up in Middlebury and lives in Lincoln, where he is an elected town selectman.

AdamThomas

Carpenter, Heavy Equipment Operator

Adam has been working in the construction industry for 20 years, and with Smith & McClain since 2011. In this time, Adam's responsibilities have varied. Adam's primary position is within the Building Division, where he works as one of our carpenters. His no-nonsense attitude makes him a great leader and a joy to work with. In addition to being a skilled carpenter, Adam is a talented machine operator with a commercial driver's license. He operates excavators and skid steers with ease and agility. Adam grew up in Bristol and lives in Lincoln with his wife, Amber, and their two young girls. Adam is a dedicated volunteer fireman and avid hunter.

MattElder

Solar Project Manager

Matt joined Smith & McClain in 2015 and leads our solar division. He worked for the past three years in the renewable energy field independently and spent the previous 12 years in the residential building industry in custom home construction. He received his A.S. in Construction Practice and Management from Vermont Technical College in 2004. Since then Matt has attended trainings including Green Remodeling Practices and Historic Preservation (Yestermorrow) and is a Certified Weatherization Installer (VTC) and Weatherization Energy Auditor & Building Analyst (BPI). He is also our heat pump installation technician with RSES Refrigerant Usage certification.

He lives in Starksboro with his wife, Rebecca, and their twin boys. He grew up in Bristol, is an avid hunter and fisherman, and works in the family sugarbush when not coaching local youth sports.

CalebElder

Solar Division Sales and Marketing, Heat pump Sales

Caleb brings his diverse set of skills to Smith & McClain, working with clients to help them navigate the sometimes confusing world of solar energy production. He works with folks looking to offset their residential electric loads, as well as commercial clients interested in large installations capable of increasing their businesses sustainability and locking in their cost of energy.

BradBroughton

Insulation Division Foreman, Painter & Finisher

Brad is Smith & McClain's in-house insulation and weatherization technician. Brad is a certified cellulose installer with a strong understanding of building science. Brad has years of experience meeting technical and architectural specifications, and a deep understanding of the ever-changing technology in the field. Along with supporting the Building Division, Brad oversees insulation projects for homeowners and other general contractors in the greater Addison County area. Brad's superior attention to detail is crucial to the achievement of the energy performance demanded by clients and architects. This thoroughness supports Brad's painting, finishing, demolition, stonework, and landscaping jobs too. Brad lives in his hometown of Middlebury with his wife, Nikki, and their two sons.

JeffreyMayo

Electrical Division Project Manager

Jeff joined Smith and McClain in 2014 and now leads our Electrical Division. Jeff is a licensed master electrician with 11 years of electrical experience. Jeff's knowledgeable and personable style brings value to the customer experience. In his spare time Jeff can be found hunting, fishing, working on his house, and raising his young children.

ColinGiordano

Staff Electrician

Colin works in our Electrical Division. Colin brings with him the positive "can do" attitude and friendly demeanor that our customers expect.

TimLaframboise

Electrical Foreman - Licensed Electrician

Tim is a staff electrician with many years of experience in the trades. Tim is relied upon for his problem-solving skills and patience needed to execute challenging tasks.

BenCook

Building/Solar Division

Ben works across all of the divisions of the company as a jack of all trades. Ben lives in Ripton, Vermont.

WillMeyer

Solar Installer, Staff Electrician

Will joined the solar team at Smith & McClain after graduating from St. Lawrence University with a degree in architectural history. Will spent his college summers working as an electrician and intends to go back to school for landscape architecture in the coming years. Will lives in his hometown of Bristol and spends weekends fishing on the Bristol Pond and bartending at the Marquis Theater in Middlebury.

JeffreyChapman

Solar Technician, Carpenter

WesDevries

Carpenter, Construction Site Foreman

SeanFierman

Project Manager, Carpenter

KeriHess

Back Office and Communications Manager

Keri manages back office functions and is responsible for developing content for web, marketing collateral, and social media. Keri's father was a residential builder and she has always been interested in green building and architecture. She studied ecological design as part of her master's degree at UVM and brings her enthusiasm to our work and projects that incorporate these principles. Keri and her family live in Huntington. When she isn't working here, she is probably busy hosting guests at her airbnb, or (if she's lucky) hiking, skiing or playing disc golf.

CoreyMany

Carpenter

As a son of a builder, Corey has been around building his whole life and brings 30 years experience (not including his childhood) to Smith & McClain. He has done it all - from carpentry to finish work. He most appreciates the finish aspects of his work as this is where artistry can be appreciated and gives the building it's character. When he isn't on the site, Corey can be found playing drums for local rock and blues bands. Corey lives in Salisbury with his wife and son.

KeilCorey

Solar Sales and Marketing Consultant

Originally from Bristol, Vermont, Keil holds a B.A. in Government and Minor in Environmental Studies from Skidmore College. After college, Keil’s passion for travel steered him to work in a variety of jobs, including leading service trips for high school students, farming, wildlife migration project development, enhancing customer relations at a hostel in Nicaragua, and working as a lift operator at one of the U.S.'s premier ski resorts.

In 2012 Keil returned to Vermont in search of opportunities working in the state’s growing clean energy economy and to be closer to his family. That search led him to the Vermont Natural Resources Council - the state’s oldest independent environmental advocacy organization - where he worked in a number of positions, ultimately settling into the role of Communications and Outreach Coordinator. Keil is thrilled to bring his diverse skill set and passion for renewable energy, excellent customer service, clear and honest communication, and community relations to Smith & McClain. When he's not working, you can find Keil hiking, snowboarding, playing soccer, and spending time with family and friends.